Nikon D600 sets high bar for sensor image quality

Nikon D600: Full-frame sensor for the budget minded

A growing chorus of amateur and enthusiast photographers have been wondering aloud if a full-frame sensor would ever find its way into a more compact, intuitive, and consumer-oriented camera body – and equally important, a price range that won’t induce heartburn.

Nikon and Canon both seem to have their fingers on the pulse of consumer preferences. On Sept. 13, Nikon announced the arrival of the D600, a consumer-targeted DSLR that includes a 24.3-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor. And on Sept. 17, Canon rebuffed Nikon’s D600 announcement with an equally impressive consumer-minded full-frame DSLR, the EOS 6D.

Further examining the D600, its sensor is embedded into a camera body that most resembles – in design and weight – the company’s more veteran high-end consumer DSLR, the D7000. However, its dimensions and its image production are more closely aligned to Nikon’s 36-megapixel full-frame sensor DSLR, the D800.

For starters, perspective D600 users will enjoy the full-frame sensor’s 35mm film-like appeal. The camera allows amateur photographers to break free from the cropping-factor that is typical of smaller sensors found in consumer DSLRs like the D7000, hybrid cameras, and DSCs.

And the price tag? The D600 costs just shy of $2,100 – enough to still give some photographers stomach churning anxiety – and places it in price range and direct competition with Sony’s $2,000 full-frame high-end DSLR, the a850, and is just a few pennies more than Canon’s new EOD 6D. Still, the D600 is priced well below the most affordable Nikon or Canon full-frame sensor DSLRs, including the roughly $3,000 Nikon D800, or the $3,450 Canon 5D Mark III.

Nikon justifies the D600 retail price for its obvious 24.3-mpx full-frame sensor, but also because the camera can photograph at a snappy and nimble 5.5-frames-per-second, and it includes a 39-point autofocus system, has a D800 sized 3.2-inch 921k-dot LCD screen, and is capable of filming 1080p30 full HD video with accompanying stereo sound recording.

Other perks of the D600 include:

ISO range of 100-6400, but expandable to 50-25600 equivalents.

Built-in flash.

In-camera image and video editing.

MOV video file format, plus H.264/MPEG-4 compression formats.

Audio headphone jack to compliment and monitor video recording.

Nikon D600 blurs line between pro, consumer DSLRs

The D600 likely will appeal to two very different types of photographers. Enthusiast photographers will be drawn to its intuitive functionality, creative features and filters, and its full-frame sensor. Professional photographers will be attracted to the latter, and could consider the D600 as a lightweight and affordable compliment to their broader and heavier pool of camera gear.

This blurring of camera genres situates the D600 in a unique place among the broader Nikon family. The D600 could potentially replace the 12.3-mpx “DX” sensor format of the Nikon D300S – the latter has been billed as the company’s top “DX” camera and the entry-level pro-DSLR model. Yet, the D600’s full-format “FX” CMOS sensor easily trumps the D300S, and is more closely related to the semi-pro Nikon D700 and its 12.1-mpx “FX” sensor. Even still, the megapixel count of the D600 is more than double that of the D700. This leaves many to wonder, even us at DxOMark, if this consumer-marketed DSLR will eclipse the image quality of the D300S and D700, and potentially approach the image quality of the 36-mpx D800.

Further readings for the Nikon D600 sets high bar for sensor image quality

To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.

Nikon’s recently released consumer-oriented full-frame sensor DSLR, the D600, has just gone through DxOMark’s image quality evaluation tests. And the verdict is in: the D600 is an affordable camera that places a high premium on image quality, as it ranks just behind the top performing Nikon D800 and Nikon D800E. It is also a significant improvement over the high-end professional flagship DSLRs, the Nikon D3X and the Nikon D4. Here are the DxOMark test results for the D600.

Nikon 70-210mm f/4 for D600

A different version of this lens is available but....I can't find where to go on website to suggest adding this one (f/4 throughout range) to database. Can someone give me a step-by-step?Dxo support doesn't understand the question.

Re: Best Lens for Nikon D7100 or D5200?

D600 Wrap Up Reviews

A real tour de force; well done. With your analytical reports and the practical input of experts like Thom Hogan it really is hard for amateur photographers to make any regrettable errors when buying Nikon lenses or bodies.

It's always possible to do more, but this really provides definitive world-class benchmarks for higher end equipment.

Re: Sony A99

Nikon 600 back from the cleaners :-)!

Got my D600 back from Nikon a few days ago, with a note telling me it isn't dust-proof! Water-resistant, yes, but not dust-proof?! Guarding their backs, I guess ...

I love it anyway! I'm sure it will have some more dust problems in the future, who cares?! A fantastic camera for me, a poor enthusiast, who sold my beloved Pentax gear to buy this lovely baby! Today I have a nice setup for it: the 28/1.8, the 50/1.4G and the 85/1.8G, plus the Sigma 70 macro, and two classics: 400/5.6 and 80-200/4. If I need a 35 I'll use the DX lens, works quite well (needs some cropping, but not that much)! And I have the AF-S VR 70-300, too, but is more or less is glued to the V1. So no zooms on my D600 (sold the 18-70 & 55-200 today), except that supersharp old 80-200 manual lens!

This oil/dust issue isn't nearly as bad as that happened to a lot of K-5 owners, including me (mine was minor, didn't need to send it off)!

Worst Nikon Camera

I was very happy and excited as it was my first full frame camera, but the sensor dust ruined my camera and my hopes of producing better images, even after cleaning i still see sensor spots on my images when i use it for landscape photography. I am not talking of one or two spots but around 25 to 30 dust spots even after cleaning. Please do not buy this camera, Thanks Nikon for ruining my hopes and ambition.

First replies for this comment

Re: Worst Nikon Camera

Hi there!

deepakv2u: Can you tell me how you got these 30-35 dust spots on your sensor?I am taking pictures for years as a pro photographer and never had any dust spots on my sensor. How come you got so many on yours in that short time??

Nikon's not getting my money on this one!

24MP looked so good, I was ready to jump. But the dirt/grease issue hasn't gone away and now some people are not even having major issues until after 2700 clicks?After reading Tom Hogan's latest threads http://www.bythom.com/, I'm staying with myD700, D5100 & D300, none of which have ever caused me a second of worry.NIKON...fix it or forget it!

D600 video bad compression

Hi, we are making tests with low light ISO 100 and have found very bad compression errors in this camera. Will soon upload a lot more images. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W68p6PAiR9A ¿does anyone have information about this?

First replies for this comment

Re: D600 overexposes just like the D7000

Quote:

<div id="linkdxomark">This a comment for <a href="http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Camera-Sensor-Database/Nikon/D600">this page on the website</a></div>I saw some real life test on the www about the fact that the D600 overexposes. That was the reason why I sold my D7000 and use my 'old' D90.

Can anyone explain me why this D600 with such a bad exposure algorithm gets such a good score on DxOMark ...

I almost wonder if Nikon sponsors this site???? ;-)

Kind regards, André

Might be because DXO Tests the sensor raw output and not the camera. And the sensor is indeed very good.

As for your problem with the D7000, it is not really a problem, new sensors are tuned up to be more sensitive.

So using base iso like 200 or 100 is often pulled, and not the real sensor ISO, so it tends to "over expose", but that's the idea getting more photons in order to get more information on the darker areas of the image and so less noise.

Knowing that, if you're shooting raw, you are able to recover about a stop and a half of highlights dynamic range anyway (except if the highlights are really blown up), so it's all right.

If you dislike the output and do not wish to toy with the raw, just use the center weighed average measure, aim at your subject and use AEL to lock the exposure setting and compensate by minus 0.7 ev it should do the trick.Just a question of getting used to the gear.

Anyway for careful exposure, nothing is more reliable than a spot or an area measure, global average measure are rarely good, either too conservative or to prone to highlights clipping. IMO

Re: D600 overexposes just like the D7000

How does DXO explain low light performance when the 600 is bad @ iso 3200 and not usable after that?? and they say its basically the best W T F ?

No good DXO, even your own tests show different to you results and scores. Oh no Nikon dose not do well no worries we'll post it as the BEST - yeah ;D

The 800 again noise is worse than others and all that res ? what did they do with it? Every real world testing and my own tells and shows why Nikon are cheaper and why they are semi pro cameras. DXO should put the coolpix camera as top dog ! score of 120 ha ha

Re: D600 overexposes just like the D7000

1) The tendency to overexpose cannot be judged by some images published on the internet. Unless the images were taken under controlled conditions the result reflects the knowledge of the user more than the qualities of a camera. If you want real world tests of the D600 and other cameras I suggest you look at www.dpreview.com

2) Correct exposure is a function of the camera's light meter system not the sensor. A camera with the worst sensor in the world could have the most accurate metering system and produce perfectly exposed images, albeit of limited quality due to the bad sensor. The opposite situation is also possible.

3) Regardless of the DXO mark, the only real test for a camera is in the hands of the user. There is no “bad” camera among current crop of advanced semi-pro and professional DSLR’s no matter what make you look at. The decision comes down to which feature sets at a given budget are the best fit for your specific needs. At any one time there will always be one manufacturer that has just leapfrogged the rest and be at the top of technical ratings like DXO Mark, but the real world implications of this are for 99,9% of the photographers out there, just a curiosity, not relevant in real world terms.

4) Last but not least I'll tell you my personal experience with the D600. After 4 years using a D300 which is a fantastic camera I switched to a D600 and it is so much better than the D300 as to consider it in a different league. And BTW it does not overexpose. It has the most accurate meter I have had to date. My previous cameras have been D100, D80 and D300.

Nikon D600

Canon is loosing the game !!!I`m interesting where is test of A99???seems Sony will be worse than D600 just like Sony A77vs. Nikon D3200, translusent mirror is good only for video, why Sony managers don`t understand it ????????????Sony A580 is almost same as Nikon D7000, but A57&A55 are worse.Sony please produce DSLR for foto too, not only for video !-----------------------------------------------------------http://photo-wed.blogspot.com/

Re: Nikon D600

@DXOMARK No, DXOMark (the website) has always very good results for Sony non SLT cameras. Their NEX range are among highest rated. SLT has an evil dark mirror that is causing loads of noise kick in. Nothing wrong with the sensor itself. If you like Sony and hate higher noise on SLT, try NEX .. NEX6 came with a a very good kit lens 16-50mm, very nice and compact. See NEX-5 (any variant) or NEX-7 results, too good.

And no they are not favoring Canon, Canon FF and APSC DSlrs are always getting lower scores here comparative to Nikon or Pentax, for some obvious reasons. Also primarily because they are using Sony sensors.

I still think there is something wrong with their test setup, which exagarate on some parameters too much?!? maybe!

Where is the 1DX test ?

<div id="linkdxomark">This a comment for <a href="http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Camera-Sensor-Database/Nikon/D600">this page on the website</a></div>OK, I know, one more... But, seriously, why to test D600 and not 1DX ?Wouldn't it be wise to publish in advance some test schedule ? So we know what to expect and (approx.) when.

Re: THIS CAMERA IS NOT AFFORDABLE FOR CONSUMERS !

<div id="linkdxomark">This a comment for <a href="http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Camera-Sensor-Database/Nikon/D600">this page on the website</a></div>Dont know whats behind this silly politics from nikon ...........

Are you crazy?

This camera beats out the Canon 5D MKIII in price by a longshot and matches it in performance. The Canon 5D MKII is still selling for 1.5K to 2K USD, the price of the D600. The MKII was THE De-facto "budget" full frame DSLR.

Re: THIS CAMERA IS NOT AFFORDABLE FOR CONSUMERS !

D600: please, stop calling it affordable!

I don't know about you guys, but I am really fed up of reading about this being an "affordable full frame camera". It sells for around 2000 pounds! It is more than twice the price of the D7000. It is affordable to whom? It's a great camera and I wish I could own one. But please, stop trying to convince people that they can afford it.

Re: D600: please, stop calling it affordable!

Okay, affordable is relative.

However, if you are learning or working your way up the Nikon system you can eventually afford this. Watch me now.

Buy a D300S on ebay. Learn and earn on it for a year then resell it on ebay. Then take your money and add some of your set aside earnings or Paypal surplus from selling off "good but no longer fun stuff" and buy the next camera level up. It will take you some time. How much time really depends on you and your pace of earning, doing and selling. Just keep it going until you get where you want to go.

Basically, it comes down to how much of an enthusist are you or just how bad do you want this? Anything is do-able if you set your mind to it. I have been doing this since 2008 and I just received my new D800E last week. I knew nothing of Digital photography 4 yrs ago, so I took a course at NYIP and bought an entry level Nikon D40 kit.

I started out as a broke enthusiastic Nikon newbee and four years later I am still broke but now a Nikon addict with a new D800E. See my point?! So ask yourself "just how bad do I want this camera"?

Re: D600: please, stop calling it affordable!

@rixirox hehe .. this is a new definition of addordability indeed!

however, see it in another way, get a D600 and a general purpose zoom lens like for 24-70mm, get it from tamron if you wanna save few 100$ and add VR to it. Its apperture is 2.8 which is same as 1.4 on m43 (my system of choice). At f2.8 it will give you same shallow DOF and with the high ISO advantage (atleast as DXOMark is advocating) you will get atleast 1 EV advantage. That means better than 3 prime lenses on m43. I am not considering level of sharpness or CA, vig and other parameter (in my opinion, no one can beat m43 on those optical ground).

So add up all the cost of 3 top prime lenses, OMD and compare it with roughly 3000$ D600 kit with tamron VR 24-70! :))

Noise D600 vs. 5D Mark III

I can not believe, that D600 has a better noise performance than 5D Mark III, as I saw the pictures on http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM. According this shots is the noise of D600 at 3200 ISO nearby 5D M III at ISO 12800. Could somebody explain it? Thanks.

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Re: Noise D600 vs. 5D Mark III

I did a quick and dirty comparison with RAWs provided by imaging resource. No one can guarantee the lightning conditions were the same, but from these samples D600 seems to be better than D4 (which is better than 5d3): http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1148707/0#10965936

Re: Noise D600 vs. 5D Mark III

tolerances

So how often did you have to repeat the measurements to get that nice and plausible ranking of D800E, then D800, then D600? I would say, all those results are within measurement tolerances, so it could as well have been the other way round.

Re: Where is OM-D E-M5 Review?

Better than D800!

If you see the no-print-normalized scores but the screen scores, the D600 sensor beat the D800 one as expected.If you don't need 36mpx (!!!) anche 1/8000sec shutter speed, the D600 is a better camera for lower budget.

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Re: Better than D800!

There is a lot more going for it than just excellent noise performance despite 36mpx, remember, the MuktiCAM3500Fx is a top af system that focuses well down to -2ev and with f/8 widest aperture lenses(long lenses with a TC), better ergonomics and sturdier build, higher flash sync, 1/8000 shutter. There is not question that the D600 is a great imaging device and will be very popular, but it is not a D800.At an introductory price of $2100 in the US, it will likely settle into a street price of $1999 in a few months and be even more of a bargain. Just think, a few months ago the D3x was the camera to beat and "only" $8000.